Run-down property will be auctioned

Question: At the corner of Waialae and Kapahulu avenues, looking makai, is a collection of derelict buildings just before the H-1 freeway overpass. Inside these is a sign reading "Government Property." This area was previously rented out to a private concern which since has been abandoned. Is the state Department of Transportation going to demolish this eyesore? It is in a very prominent place that would add much to the area as landscaped open space like the traffic island nearby.

Answer: The Department of Transportation plans to put the 5,000-square-foot property out to bid later this year, according to spokesman Scott Ishikawa.

In 2005, the department held an auction for that property, previously leased by The Tree People.

"Unfortunately, the highest bidder at $1.1 million was unable to close the purchase," he said.

After the bidder missed the final deadline, the department decided to put the property out to bid again.

In addition to a small office, there is a connecting garage.

The property is being sold "as is," but the department will clean up the site before an open house to precede the latest auction, Ishikawa said.

Q: Why hasn't the city done something about a burned-out Chevy van that has sat in the same spot on a public street -- 94-830 Moloalo St. in Waipahu -- since October?

A: The vehicle was cited as abandoned last week and scheduled to be removed by the city's tow contractor sometime this week, according to the city Motor Vehicle & Licensing Division.

Q: Is using a cell phone while driving illegal on Oahu? We were having a discussion about this, but was not sure if a law prohibiting the use of cell phones while driving was passed.

A: Although there have been proposals to ban the use of hand-held cell phones while driving, none has so far become law on Oahu or the rest of the state.

However, in 2005, the Army banned the use of cell phones, including headsets and hands-free devices, by drivers at all its Hawaii bases.

Auwe

To people who park in the cross-hatched area between disabled parking stalls. In Kailua, at the post office and especially at eating establishment parking lots, I often see people without disabled parking placards parking in those areas. These guys often think it's their right to park there and by doing so, causes a bona fide handicapped person to squeeze into the disabled parking stall and worse yet, they can't open their doors wide. It seems that disabled parking enforcement is getting very lax here in Kailua and probably all over the island. I won't confront these people and risk my own safety in doing so. -- Concerned Citizen With a Disabled Spouse

It is a violation to park in the access aisle between disabled parking stalls, said Sgt. Emilio Laganse of the Honolulu Police Department's Traffic Division. You should call 911 to report the illegal parking, he said.